06
SPECIAL DRIVING CONDITIONS
Hazardous driving conditions
To prevent transmission wear, wait until
the wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator pedal
whilst shifting, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal whilst the transmis-
sion is in gear. Slowly spinning the
wheels in forward and reverse direc-
tions causes a rocking motion that may
free the vehicle.
When hazardous driving elements are
encountered such as water, snow, ice,
mud and sand, take the following pre-
cautions:
• Drive cautiously and maintain a lon-
ger braking distance.
• Avoid abrupt braking or steering.
• When your vehicle is stuck in snow,
mud, or sand, use second gear.
Accelerate slowly to avoid unneces-
sary wheel spin.
• Put sand, rock salt, tyre chains or
other non-slip materials under the
wheels to provide additional traction
whilst the vehicle becomes stuck in
ice, snow, or mud.
WARNING
If the vehicle is stuck and excessive
wheel spin occurs, the temperature
in the tyres can increase very quick-
ly. If the tyres become damaged, a
tyre blow out or tyre explosion can
occur. This condition is dangerous -
you and others may be injured. Do
not attempt this procedure if people
or objects are anywhere near the
vehicle.
WARNING
Downshifting with an Automated
manual transmission, whilst driving
on slippery surfaces can cause an
accident. The sudden change in tyre
speed could cause the tyres to skid.
Be careful when downshifting on
slippery surfaces.
If you attempt to free the vehicle, the
vehicle can overheat quickly, possi-
bly causing an engine compartment
fire or other damage. Try to avoid
spinning the wheels as much as
possible to prevent overheating of
either the tyres or the engine. DO
NOT allow the vehicle to spin the
wheels above 35 mph (56 km/h).
Rocking the vehicle
If it is necessary to rock the vehicle to
free it from snow, sand, or mud, first
turn the steering wheel right and left to
clear the area around your front wheels.
Then, shift back and forth between 1st
and R (Reverse, for manual transmis-
sion vehicle) or R (Reverse) and a for-
ward gear (for Automated manual
transmission vehicle).
Information
i
The ESC system must be turned OFF
before rocking the vehicle.
NOTICE
If you are still stuck after rocking the
vehicle a few times, have the vehicle
pulled out by a tow vehicle to avoid
engine overheating, possible dam-
age to the transmission, and tyre
damage. See “Towing” in chapter 8.
Try to avoid spinning the wheels, and
do not race the engine.
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